Emperor Akihito, pictured with Empress Michiko, has expressed his desire to abdicate

Mako has since introduced him to her parents, Prince Akishino, second in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, and Princess Kiko, as someone she wished to “share her future with.”

Komuro said he was so thankful and happy to have been accepted by her parents, and her grandparents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Details of their wedding have not been decided, and palace officials say the ceremony is expected sometime around autumn next year.

The happy news is not necessarily good news for the future of a royal family facing concerns about a declining population to keep their 2,000-year-old bloodline going.

Mako’s 83-year-old grandfather, Emperor Akihito, has expressed a desire to abdicate and is expected to do so in late 2018.

He’ll be succeeded by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito.

Next in line is Princess Mako’s father Akishino, Naruhito’s younger brother. After that, the only person left in the line of succession is Mako’s little brother.

Those who are concerned about the future of the royal family want to allow women to succeed the throne and others to keep their royal status so they can keep performing public duties, but a government panel on the emperor’s abdication avoided the divisive issue.